Police to Begin Enforcing COVID-19 Closure Rules

Thursday, 2 April 2020 09:31

The Woodstock Police is reminding residents of the closure of recreational facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas, basketball courts, dog parks and non-essential businesses. They will be out enforcing the rules.

Woodstock – It was only a matter of time, and the time has now come for COVID-19 Closure Rules to be enforced.

The Woodstock Police Service in partnership with Woodstock City Bylaw Enforcement Officers will be patrolling the streets, enforcing the Ontario Government’s Provincial Closure Orders.

The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act prohibits anyone from attending the following:

- Any organized public event of more than five 5 people, including a parade
- Any social gathering of more than five 5 people
- Any gathering of more than five 5 people for the purposes of conducting religious services or ceremonies
These restrictions include gatherings or events held in private dwellings (your home).

There are some exemptions where these orders do not apply, including:

- Gatherings of members of a single household
- A funeral service with no more than 10 people in attendance
- Inside of an essential business establishment
- Emergency child care centres supporting frontline health care workers and first responders.

For more information on the emergency orders, click here.

The Woodstock Police is also reminding residents of the closure of recreational facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas, basketball courts and dog parks.

The fines for those who disobey Emergency Orders range from $750 up to $100,000 and one year imprisonment. Fines of up to $10,000,000 apply to non-essential corporations disobeying the emergency closure orders.

The orders are only to be enforced by police, special constables and city by-law enforcement officers. The public is not to make a citizens arrest. Failing to identify oneself carries a fine of $750 for failure to comply under the EMCPA or $1,000 for obstructing a person in exercising a duty.
Both The Woodstock Police Service and City of Woodstock are taking these orders very seriously and will be actively enforcing the strict legislation.
If you see someone not complying or a business not complying, you are to contact the Woodstock Police Service at (519) 537-2323, do not call 911.